Microsoft to Speak Out On EU Troubles Microsoft Senior Counsel Brad Smith will hold a press conference in Brussels where, presumably, he will address the software giant's battle with European regulators.

Alternative Energy Gains Political Power Russia and Ukraine's gas tussle could benefit some alternative energy companies. One should note that the U.S. has its own potential energy issue in its strained relationship with Venezuela. Smart investors should be ready to exploit this trend.

Europe-Based NATO Reaches Deep into Asia, Africa U.S. and allied military forces in Europe -- grappling with a lengthy, global war on terrorism -- are expanding their reach far beyond their traditional perimeters, deep into Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.

Be Seeing E.U. In the wake of last summer's bombings in London, British authorities are pushing for European Union-wide rules requiring mobile phone companies and Internet service providers to keep records of information about each call, text message, e-mail, and Internet log-in to pass through their systems.